Reciprocal Atomic Interferometer Gyroscope Phase Error Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Atomic interferometer-based gyroscopes face measurement errors due to factors other than rotation, such as linear acceleration and imperfections in the interferometer, which are indistinguishable from inertially induced phase rotation, leading to inaccurate output.
Innovation Solution
A fully reciprocal atomic interferometric gyroscope design where the two halves of the atomic wave function traverse exactly the same path in opposite directions, using optical lattices to control the motion of atoms and eliminate phase accumulation from linear acceleration and imperfections, thereby improving noise reduction and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If atomic interferometer is used for rotation sensing, then manufacturing cost is reduced compared to other inertial sensor technologies, but measurement precision deteriorates due to phase accumulation from linear acceleration and interferometer imperfections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reciprocal interferometer where the two atomic wave function paths are reversed relative to each other. One path travels through the interferometer in the forward direction while the other travels in the reverse direction, allowing phase errors from linear acceleration and imperfections to cancel out while preserving the rotation-induced phase difference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the configuration parameter of the interferometer from a standard asymmetric design to a reciprocal symmetric design where the two paths are mirror images of each other. This parameter change ensures that phase accumulation from non-rotation factors is equal and opposite, enabling error cancellation while maintaining manufacturing advantages
2Device complexity
If standard atomic interferometer design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but stability deteriorates due to noise from indistinguishable phase accumulation sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs reciprocal paths where one atomic wave function traverses the interferometer in the opposite direction to the other wave function. This inversion causes noise from linear acceleration and imperfections to manifest with opposite signs in the two paths, enabling cancellation when recombined, thereby improving stability without substantially increasing device complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If phase measurement is conducted from atomic interferometer output, then rotation sensing capability is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to indistinguishable phase differences from non-rotation factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reciprocal interferometer paths where atomic wave functions travel in opposite directions through the same physical components. This causes non-rotation phase errors to accumulate with opposite signs, enabling their cancellation upon recombination, while rotation-induced phase differences maintain their distinction, thereby improving phase measurement accuracy for rotation sensing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy and stability of rotation sensing by isolating phase shifts due to rotation perpendicular to the plane of wave function separation, reducing noise and drift, and achieving navigation-grade performance at a lower cost.
Implementation Method 1
a controller configured to control the plurality of lasers to initially cool the atom cloud and to form at least one optical lattice used to move wave function halves of atoms of the atom cloud along split wave function paths
Implementation Method 2
a controller configured to control the plurality of lasers to initially cool the atom cloud
Implementation Method 3
the first atomic wave function halves along the first split wave function path and the second atomic wave function halves along the second split wave function path traverse exactly the same path in opposite directions thereby forming the interferometer cycle
Implementation Method 4
a measurement sensor configured to conduct a phase readout of a wave function upon the completion of at least one interferometer cycle around the split wave function paths
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A fully reciprocal atomic interferometric gyroscope is provided. The fully reciprocal atomic interferometric gyroscope includes an atomic chamber, a plurality of lasers, a controller and measurement sensor. The atomic chamber is used to hold an atom cloud. The plurality of lasers are selectively positioned to selectively direct laser beams into the atomic chamber. The controller is configured to control the plurality lasers to initially cool the atom cloud to a point where at least one optical lattice can be formed that is used to move wave function halves of atoms of the atom cloud along split wave function paths that form an interferometer cycle. The measurement sensor is configured to conduct a phase readout of a wave function upon the completion of at least one interferometer cycle around the split wave function paths.